OCT
Also written as: OCT — optical coherence tomography
Optical coherence tomography; high-resolution intravascular imaging technique using near-infrared light.
Full Definition
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a catheter-based imaging technique that uses near-infrared light to provide extremely high-resolution cross-sectional images of vessel walls and stent structures. OCT offers superior resolution compared to IVUS, enabling detailed assessment of stent apposition, tissue coverage, and identification of thin-cap fibroatheromas. However, OCT requires blood clearance during imaging and has limited tissue penetration compared to ultrasound-based techniques.
Usage
Usage note: In medical contexts, always refers to optical coherence tomography, not optical character recognition.
In Context
- "OCT imaging confirmed excellent stent apposition with no evidence of malapposition or edge dissection." — Procedure report
- "The OCT revealed a thin-cap fibroatheroma that required careful intervention planning." — Case discussion